Hi

One of my two Degus got put down yesterday due to a genetic teeth issue. I was wondering if you could give me some advice on what to do for the surviving degu? Especially in these first couple of weeks?

I know that normally the best option would be to find him another companion, but the vet told me because he has also has a tooth issue (different issue, which is in a very early stage) there is a possibility he won't reach 5, he is currently 3. I would prefer not to end up in the same position again however the cage I have is only big enough for two. (I am also limited on space to set two cages up).

I am also worried about introducing a new degu as he was quite aggressive with his brother and on occasions I had to separate them.

However I am considering re-homing him, as much as it would break my heart, do you think this would be the better option?

If I do keep him on his own I was also wondering if play dates with a friends guinea pig (which is also on its own) would help?

Sorry for all the question but this is the first time I am in this situation, and I want to do the right thing for my degu.

Best thing would be to find a friend for him. Even if he has two years to live, that's almost 1.5 times as long as he's lived so far for him to be alone.
What sort of teeth issue does he have?
How big is your cage?
Don't think play dates with a guinea pig will work out.
Do you have alot of time to spend with him?

A look at the cost of free website advice and why people fail to act on it. Free advice does have a cost. It costs money if you act on free bad advice and it costs money if you don't act on free good advice. The problem with free advice is all too often in the mind of the person receiving the advice, it cost them nothing, so they don't value it.